Planoorapm co



v J. w. McCANN. REVERSIBLE COVER AND DETACHABLE FASTENER THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FIL D APR 0 I9 1,318,094. I Patented 0m. 7,1919.

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Guam,

J. W. M cCANN. REVERSIBLE COVER AND DEIACHABLE FASTENER THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, I9l9.

1,318,094. Patented Oct. 7,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

$61792, W/W'C'Qhra, 3%, Mii% Gbtoui a J. w. McCANN. REVERSIBLE COVER AND DETACHABLE FASTENER THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 10' I919. 1,31 ,094, Patented Oct. 7,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

JOSEPH W. MGGANN', OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

REVERSIBLE COVER AND DETACHABLE FASTENER THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. '7, 1919.

Application filed April 10, 1919. Serial No. 288,918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. MOCANN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Reversible Covers and Detachable Fasteners Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to portable field kits and the like such as employed at the present time by field officers on duty with troops. More particularly, the invention is directed to a reversible cover for kits of this nature provided with a readily detachable fastening so that the same may be removed from its closed position on the box and inverted to present a precision surface for field use.

' The principal object of the'present invention is to provide a detachable fastening for lids of this construction which will readily slip into locking engagement with a bearing member formed on the box, and readily removable therefrom to permit the lid to be moved to different positions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a detachable fastening'ofthis type which will serve as a joint to prevent the entrance of water to the interior of the kit and, at the same time, constitute a precision edge which maybe used in conjunction with the'precision surfaceformed on the lower side of the cover.

A still further'object of the present invention is to provide a detachable connection of the type referred to which may be secured in operative position within the kit so that when the cover is secured in position it will be impossible to remove the sam'e.

These and other objects, togetherwith their attendant advantages, will be apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the accompanying specifica tion and drawings forming a part thereof, in which j 5 l Figurel is a perspective view .of the exterior of a field kit embodying my invention. v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the interior construction of the kitwith the cover partiallyfremovedtherefrom;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the kit showing the cover in" inverted position.

interior of the kit showing a bearing member in position therein.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the lines 5-5 of Fig; 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view 011 the lines a-a of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my detachable locking connection. I

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of modified forms of detachable connections.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a modified form of connection adapted for use on the exterior of the kit.-

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown a field kit or box 1 having a reversible cover 2, which may be locked in position on the box by means of a suitable lock 4:. The box 1 is provided preferably with a suitable inner lining 5 which projects nearly to the upper edge of the box and is so constructed that a weather groove or channel 6 is formed between the box and the inner lining. The groove 6 may be formed by spacing the inner lining from the interior surface of the box, or by forming vertical grooves or cut-away portions 7 in the sides and ends of the box.

The reversible cover 2 is provided on its under side with a precision surface 8 which may comprise a drawing board or the like. The precision surface preferably projects a considerable distance from the under side of the cover and is of such size that when the cover is in its normal closed position the edges thereof cooperate with the inner lining to form a tight joint and assist the lock in preventing displacement of the cover. If desired, the upper side of the cover may be provided with a projecting member 9, corresponding in configuration to the precision surfaceS, for the purpose of preventing lateral displacement of the cover when in its inverted position. When such a construction is employed, it is possible to use the precision'surface, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, without fear of the same moving about.

The detachable locking construction for the reversible cover preferably comprises an angular member 10., the opposite sides of which project at substantially right angles.

Formed in one of the sides, are a series of openings 11 provided for the reception of suitable fastening means, such as screws 12 or the like. In applying the angular members 10'to the cover 2, the cover is preferably mortised along the opposite edges thereof, as indicated at 12, so that when the members 10 are secured in position therein the under surfaces of the sides 13 will lie flush with the under side of the cover and form a tight closure cooperating with the upper edge of the box. When so applied, the sides 14 of the locking ineinbers project away from the cover in such position as to fit snugly into the channels or grooves 7 formed between the main body of the box and the inner lining. If desired, supple: mental angular members '15 maybe secured to the cover so as to constitute continuations of the locking members 10. The downwardly projecting sides of the members 10 and 15 are preferably formed with precision faces and project downwardly a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the precision surface secured to the under side of the cover. Due to this construction constant removing and positioning "of the cover, although tending to wear the edges 16 of the precision surface, do not prevent the same from being used with precision instruments, such as a T-square or the like, in the manner illustrated in the drawings. When the supplemental members 15 are omitted, the locking members 10 receive the precision instruments throughout their own length and the edge of the precision surface throughout the unprotected portion thereof.

In the ends of the projecting sides 14 are formed curved open ended locking grooves or recesses 18 adapted to cooperate with the elongated convex bearing surfaces}? formed on the bearing memhers Due to the particular construction of the looking grooves it will be apparent that when the cover is in closed position vertical movement thereof will beprevented. Upon swinging the cover from its closed position the loeking members 1nay-be readily separated as indicated clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It is usually desirable to have the hearing members extend longitudinally of the box and for this purpose the same taprovided with depressions or mortises 21 in which the same may be secured.

In some instances, however, it may be found advantageous to employ bearing meinbers 22 adapted to extend vertically of the box. Members of this type are illustrated in detail in Fig. 8 of thedrawings and may besecured in position by mortising the box as. described in connection with the bearing members 20. p v

In Figs. 7 and 9 of the drawings 1 have illustrated locking members 10 having formed in the ends thereof angular or ofiset portions 24:. forming an open-ended groove or recess therebetween, said portions and recess being adapted to coeperate 1n lock are employed, it will be impossible to reniove the same when the box cover is in closed position, as the fastening means are entirely concealed i'vith-in the box. 7

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a form of lo'eking meinber which may be used, exteriorly 'or interiorly of the box for certain purposes. This form comprises a vertical web 26 having fastening openings 27 formed therein "aiid provide'd withja curved or angular open ended locking groove or recess 28. The locking groove is adaptedto receive and coeperate with a similarly formed bearing29 on the block 30. When this type of locking member iseniployed it may be providedwi'tli a stop 31 operatively conmating, when the lid is in closed position, with the abuti'nent surface 32. It will be understood that in use the locking members may be readily moved from their dotted interlocked position shown in the drawings to the full line position illustrated.

I 'am aware that is has heretofore been proposed to ein loy various types of detach-able hinges or use in connection with boxes, storm shutters, transoms, and. the like, but such constructions cannot be used with a kit of the present naturefor the reason that a portion of the locking means would project beyond theexterior surface thereof or would be secured exteiiorly of the same sothat they might be readily removed. a

In actual practice the interior of the may he divided into an suitable number of individual compartments adapted for the reception of writing materials, afield typewritenpr the like. I/Vhen it desired to do any writing orfildivoik not requiring the use of a precision surface, the upper side of the lid may he ei'nployed-as a desk, the under side Being. reserved for precision drafting, sketching,or eqiiivalent uses. 7 It "be'app arenttha't changes may be made in the preferred embodiment of my invention fillustratediii the drawings, within the scope of the apperided claims, witlr out departingfron'i the spirit thereof.

What I claim is: I V

A reverts cover for field"kits,fcomprising upper working'surface, a project ing precision surface on the lower side thereof, aprec'ision edge forsaid surface, and "a detachable lockingj'oint formed in said edge. a v I 2. A reversible cover, comprising an upper working surface, a projecting precision surface on the lower side thereof, an angucover and project downward-1y therefrom,

said strip having an open ended locking recess formed in one end thereof, and a bearing member adapted to detachably cooperate with said recess.

5. A detachable locking connection for removable covers, comprising an interlocking strip having a precision edge adapted to be secured to the said cover and project downwardly therefrom, said strip having an open ended locking recess formed in one end thereof, and a bearing member adapted to detachably cooperate with said recess.

6. A combined precision edge and locking member for removable covers, comprising an angular body portion having fastening openings formed in one side thereof, and an open ended locking recess formed in the opposite side thereof.

7. A reversible cover, comprising upper and lower projecting members, and a precision interlocking edge partially surrounding one of said members.

8. A reversible cover, having projecting members secured to opposite sides thereof, and a precision edge cooperating with one of said members, said precision edge having a detachable locking groove formed in one end thereof.

9. A detachable connection for removable covers, comprising a bearing member, a bearing surface formed thereon, a second member adapted to be secured to said cover in projecting relation thereto, and an open ended bearing surface formed in one end of said member adapted to cooperate detachably with said first mentioned bearing surface.

10. A reversible cover for field kits, comprising an upper working surface, a projecting precision surface on the lower side thereof, a precision edge for said surface, and an open ended detachable locking recess formed in said edge, substantially as described.

11. A reversible cover comprising an upper working surface, a projectin precision surface on the lower side thereo an angular precision edge for said surface, and an open ended detachable locking recess formed in one portion of said edge, substantially as described.

J OSE-PH W. McCANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the, Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

